If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Please note that posts from new users are now moderated. If you have just joined this forum and post a new message it will be held in the moderation queue until a member of staff approves it. Please be patient and our staff will review your submission as soon as possible.

Re: Correct Usage home or at home?

Both are correct.
"I will be at home" is more formal, more high society. In Victorian and Edwardian times, a lady would be 'at home', meaning that she would receive any callers who wished to drop in for conversation and tea and cucumber sandwiches. If the lady of the house was in, was at home, but not receiving callers, her butler would tell anyone coming to the door, "Her ladyship is not at home." He was not lying - it meant, 'not at home to callers.'

Re: Correct Usage home or at home?

- although that's a rather specialized usage; even today, in Br English, it's possible to use "at home" as noun: 'We need money-raising ideas; Jan has already suggested a sponsored swim, and Mavis is holding an At Home - but we need more.' An 'At Home' is the extended provision of tea-time-ike hospitality; the invitation would say something like

Mrs Otis will be at home from 3.00 until 5.30pm

But I agree that 'at home' is more formal. In colloquial usage it may easily be dropped - as for example in the expression that refers to signs of life, but extreme stupidity: "The lights are on, but there's nobody home".

Re: Correct Usage home or at home?

Originally Posted by BobK

- although that's a rather specialized usage; even today, in Br English, it's possible to use "at home" as noun: 'We need money-raising ideas; Jan has already suggested a sponsored swim, and Mavis is holding an At Home - but we need more.' An 'At Home' is the extended provision of tea-time-ike hospitality; the invitation would say something like

But I agree that 'at home' is more formal. In colloquial usage it may easily be dropped - as for example in the expression that refers to signs of life, but extreme stupidity: "The lights are on, but there's nobody home".

b

What do you mean by 'stupidity' here? I know what stupidity is but I'm afraid I don't get your drift.

Re: Correct Usage home or at home?

What do you mean by 'stupidity' here? I know what stupidity is but I'm afraid I don't get your drift.

Snowcake, a bit slow on the uptake today

My fault - I wasn't clear enough; it often happens when one's syntax requires an abstract noun; I should know by now!

When someone is behaving in a placid or docile or lethargic or inattentive or distracted or stupid way (say in a meeting or a lesson) the presenter/teacher may say - for example

'..That's my view anyway. John, what do you think? John? Are you with us?... No ...[to the rest of the audience, perhaps waving a hand theatrically in front of John's face] The lights are on, but there's nobody home'.